Cards avoid Miracle sweep

August 20, 2012

JUPITER - The Palm Beach Cardinals avoided a sweep by knocking off the Fort Myers Miracle 6-4 in the series finale Sunday afternoon.

Tied 1-1 after four innings, the Cardinals plated five in the bottom of the fifth to take control of the game. After going up up 2-1 on a bases loaded walk issued to Neal Pritchard by Miracle reliever Miguel Munoz, manager Jake Mauer went to the bullpen and brought in Madison Boer.

Facing Chris Edmonson, Boer surrendered a grand slam and Palm Beach took a 6-1 lead. Fort Myers brought the deficit to two runs by scoring three in the sixth. Josmil Pinto led off with a double and Danny Rams followed with a walk issued by Cardinals starter Todd McInnis. The next hitter, Danny Ortiz, singled into left to score Pinto.

After a strikeout by Kyle Knudson, Miracle first baseman Steve Liddle chopped a base hit through the right side to score Rams and Daniel Santana followed with a sacrifice fly.

Down 6-4, the Miracle could not pull any closer on the Cardinals bullpen. Zach Russell earned his fourth save by striking out the final two hitters with runners at first and second. McInnis (3-6) was the winner after 5 1/3 innings allowing four runs on seven hits.

Munoz (2-7) was the losing pitcher with four runs given up without recording an out in the fifth.

Minnesota Twins 2009 first round pick Kyle Gibson started for the Miracle and went four innings. Gibson gave up one run, a solo homer from Alan Ahmady, on three hits with six strikeouts and no walks.

After a day off Monday, the Miracle return to Hammond Stadium Tuesday to open a six-game homestand with a three-game series against the Bradenton Marauders.